SHDG vs. DMAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SHDG (Soundwatch Hedged Equity ETF) and DMAR (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - March) are both Options Trading funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, SHDG returned 12.67%/yr vs 12.11%/yr for DMAR. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SHDG charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for DMAR.

Performance

SHDG vs. DMAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Soundwatch Hedged Equity ETF (SHDG) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - March (DMAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SHDG achieves a 0.88% return, which is significantly lower than DMAR's 7.21% return.

SHDG

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 1.31%
• YTD: 0.88%
• 6M: 1.06%
• 1Y: 12.30%
• 3Y*: 12.67%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DMAR

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 1.43%
• YTD: 7.21%
• 6M: 8.16%
• 1Y: 14.75%
• 3Y*: 12.11%
• 5Y*: 7.74%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SHDG vs. DMAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SHDG Soundwatch Hedged Equity ETF	0.88%	11.46%	19.66%	17.84%	2.55%
DMAR FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - March	7.21%	9.13%	12.74%	12.25%	0.67%

Correlation

The correlation between SHDG and DMAR is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2022	0.86

The correlation between SHDG and DMAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

SHDG vs. DMAR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SHDG	DMAR
Technology	36.2%	36.2%
Financial Services	11.9%	11.9%
Communication Services	10.9%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.4%
Industrials	8.1%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.9%
Energy	3.5%	3.5%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

SHDG vs. DMAR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

SHDG

SHDG Risk / Return Rank: 44
SHDG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
SHDG Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
SHDG Omega Ratio Rank: 49
SHDG Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
SHDG Martin Ratio Rank: 43

DMAR

DMAR Risk / Return Rank: 97
DMAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
DMAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
DMAR Omega Ratio Rank: 98
DMAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
DMAR Martin Ratio Rank: 98

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

SHDG vs. DMAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Soundwatch Hedged Equity ETF (SHDG) and FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - March (DMAR). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	SHDG	DMAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.58	4.07	-2.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.18	7.00	-4.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	2.04	-0.73
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.86	9.68	-7.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.92	62.37	-55.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SHDG vs. DMAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SHDG Sharpe Ratio is 1.58, which is lower than the DMAR Sharpe Ratio of 4.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SHDG and DMAR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SHDG	DMAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.58	4.07	-2.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.11	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.32	1.17	+0.16

Drawdowns

SHDG vs. DMAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SHDG drawdown since its inception was -15.82%, which is greater than DMAR's maximum drawdown of -9.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SHDG and DMAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	SHDG	DMAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.82%	-9.84%	-5.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.62%	-1.53%	-5.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.82%	-9.16%	-6.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-9.84%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	-0.13%	-0.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.74%	-1.85%	+0.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.78%	0.24%	+1.54%

Volatility

SHDG vs. DMAR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Soundwatch Hedged Equity ETF (SHDG) is 0.48%, while FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - March (DMAR) has a volatility of 0.67%. This indicates that SHDG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DMAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SHDG	DMAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.48%	0.67%	-0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.66%	2.74%	+2.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.82%	3.64%	+4.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.99%	7.04%	+3.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.99%	6.97%	+4.02%

SHDG vs. DMAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

SHDG has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is lower than DMAR's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

SHDG vs. DMAR - Dividend Comparison

SHDG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.49%, while DMAR has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
DMAR FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - March	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SHDG Soundwatch Hedged Equity ETF	0.49%	0.49%	0.62%	1.24%	0.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SHDG and DMAR in my portfolio?

SHDG and DMAR have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SHDG or DMAR?

DMAR has higher volatility (0.67%) compared to SHDG (0.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SHDG dropped -15.82% vs DMAR's -9.84%.

Which ETF is better, SHDG or DMAR?

On 3-year performance, SHDG leads with 12.67% vs 12.11% for DMAR. On fees, SHDG is cheaper at 0.53% per year. On volatility, SHDG has been the lower-risk option at 0.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SHDG or DMAR?

Over the 3-year period, SHDG has performed better with a 12.67% return vs 12.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SHDG or DMAR?

SHDG is cheaper with a 0.53% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for DMAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SHDG or DMAR?

SHDG has the higher dividend yield at 0.49%, compared with 0.00% for DMAR.

What is the main difference between SHDG and DMAR?

They also come from different issuers: SoundWatch Capital and FT Vest. Their fees differ too: 0.53% for SHDG and 0.85% for DMAR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DMAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.07 vs 1.58), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.